'Skins sign up new supporter

Friday

Sep 20, 2013 at 8:27 AMSep 20, 2013 at 8:27 AM

By Phillip Morganpmorgan@hillsdale.net

The Washington Redskins gained a serious fan deep in heart of Lion country when they signed kicker John Potter on September 14th.Jane Potter, 89, is a born-and-bred Hillsdalian and a die-hard fan of the Redskins' new kicker, her grandson."She’s a huge John Potter fan," John’s father, Jack Potter, said. "That’s for sure."When the Lions play the Redskins on Sunday, there will be no doubt about where her allegiances lie."Of course I’ll cheer for the Redskins," she said.John said his grandma will not miss any of his games, no matter what."She’s always trying to find me playing," John said. "She’ll do whatever it takes to get my game on either the internet or the radio."The support is vital for John as he experiences the highs and lows of a league that is quick to sign and drop players, especially kickers."It means a lot," John said. "It helps you get through the tough days when you know they support youand love you."John Potter, a native of Grand Haven Michigan, was signed by the Redskins this past week as insurance after Washington’s current kicker, Kai Forbath, suffered a groin injury. Potter, who is a kick-off specialist,played with the Redskins throughout summer camp but was cut him just before the start of the season."They thought John could help them on kickoffs," Jack Potter said. "They said keep your phone around."When Forbath went down with the injury, the Redskins released backup quarterback Pat White and signed Potter."I was very excited to get the call," John said. "You’re sitting at home and all the sudden you’re getting a call that you may be playing on Sunday."Jane shared his enthusiasm."If he likes, I like it," Jane said.Through the years, Jane and her husband Marlin regularly traveled to Grand Haven to see John andhis siblings play football and soccer. The grandchildren would also come to Hillsdale to visit their grandparents.John said he has memories of going out for breakfast at the Palace Cafe, playing football on the HillsdaleCollege field, and golfing at the Baw-Beese Country Club.John’s grandfather, Marlin, was a community figurehead as he had coached football at Reading High School before taking over as president of Hillsdale Tool.As an old coach and an aspiring player, Marlin and John shared a deep love of football."My dad was an avid football fan," Jack Potter said.Despite their passion for the game, Jane still insisted that there be "no football in the house."Jane and Marlin continued attending John’s games, as he earned a football scholarship at Western Michigan. With the Broncos, he gained a reputation not just as a phenomenal kicker, but as a smash-mouth defender. By the time he graduated he led the team in career point totals and the tackles by a kicker. He even scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion in his four-year career.His success in college came with a serious setback, however.In 2009, while John and Marlin were dining on a return-trip from Naples, Florida, Marlin suddenly died of a stroke."That was my sophomore year of college," John said. "We made it about halfway home to Virginia."In 2012, the Buffalo Bills drafted John in the seventh round. He played half of a season before being cut.Now as a member of the Redskins, John said he finds special meaning in playing in Washington. The football stadium is about an hour away from where his grandfather died. "He would have been above-and-behind happy to see me reach the level that I am now," John said.Jane agrees."If he were still alive, he would be so proud," Jane said.While John’s future with the Redskins is uncertain, the Potter family is assured by their Christian faith.And despite the stress of the NFL, John still makes time for his number one fan. Jane said she calls himoften."I usually make up an excuse," Jane said. "I don’t want him to have a pesky grandma."